Display machine



April 15, 1958 s. WEINREICH UAL 2,830,387

DISPLAY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1954 8 5 M a M 2 2 w c n Nn v. W a M. w w m m 1 m 4 a sw 3 Q Y E Y l i y o Y 5 m d, n f-k. NC Y m .W/, r 1 H m y w m x m mn A H l A ANEP/v6? April 15, 1958 s. wElNRElcH ETAL 2,830,387

DISPLAY MACHINE Filed June 4, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent DISPLAY MACHINE Sol Weinreich, Rockville Centre, and Milton Newman, New York, N. Y.

Application June 4, 1954, Serial No. 434,632

14 Claims. (Cl. 35-49) The present invention is directed to a display device more particularly to a mechanism whereby the character of opening of a carton or package is demonstrated.

Particularly in the cigarette field, the packs which are sealed are normally opened in an upper corner thereof by tearing the several layers of the package open. Recently there has come on the market a cigarette pack which has a snap-action in opening the pack by removing a piece of tape which seals the pack. It is highly desirable to emphasize the snap action by adequate demonstrations and the present invention is directed to a machine which accomplishes such a result. Up to the present no satisfactory mechanism for this purpose has been developed. The use of the present machine is adaptable for other purposes where a similar action is to be demonstrated. v

ln view of the above it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a simple and sturdy mechanism which is positive in operation, which may be used for demonstration purposes but which is not visible to the viewer and is concealed within an enlarged mock-up of a pack.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a mechanism which gives a snap or rapid action and which opens and closes a set of aps in a definite sequence.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide an automatic operation of the mechanism in such a manner that the aps move rapidly at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation.

It is still further among the objects of the present invention to provide a mechanism which snaps the aps open rapidly and which closes said aps in sequence in order to enable viewers to see that the aps may be easily closed after the pack has been opened.

In practicing the present invention the pack has three aps on an upper corner which are folded over each other to close the pack. These flaps are simulated in the mechanism by members which are pivoted on three sides of a plate which simulates the top of the pack which is of greatly enlarged size so as to be readily visible. Such a pack is placed in front or at the side of and to partly cover the mechanism so that it is entirely invisible from the front.

The mechanism includes essentially a bow-spring which holds the outer ilap down on top of the middle and innerflaps. When the outer flap is released by the spring snapping past dead center, the outer ap opens rapidly releasing the middle and inner flaps which are snapped upwardly by spring action, the whole operation taking place in the matter of a fraction of a second. There are provided links, levers and cams which are connected to the middle and inner flaps so that in the next phase of the cycle movement thereof brings back the inner flap rst and then the middle ap. Gearing is provided which moves the bow-spring back past dead center and it snaps onto the outer flap holding the middle flap in position as Well. Then the cams release the middle and inner aps rice but the bow-spring holding the outer flap maintains all the aps in closed position for the next cycle.

In the accompanying drawings constituting parthereof and in which like reference characters indicate like parts, Fig. l is a side elevational view of a mechanism made in accordance with the present invention and showingV the aps in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but with part of the frame removed to more clearly show the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the llaps in open position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse Cros-sectional View taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view'greatly enand 8 rotate in the direction of arrows 10 and 11 respec-` tively.

On pin 12 of gear 8 is a gear-link 13 having a slot 14 therein to allow lost motion between gear S and link 13, Which results in more accurate timing of the movements. The other end of the link is carried by pin 15 carried by gear 16 mounted on shaft 17. It meshes with pinion 18 on stub shaft 20 carried by bearing 19. Bow-spring 21 has one end held by retainer 22 and set screws 23 as shown in Fig. 5. The Afree end of bow-spring 21 is held by retainer 24 and rivets 25 to a member 26. The

free end 27 thereof is integral with the outer ap 28.

Hinge 29 secured to member 26 by rivets 30 is riveted at 31 to plate 32. Said plate has an opening 33 therein.

A lever 3S pivoted on rod 4 has a follower 36 in the form of a roller for contact with a cam 37 mounted on shaft 9. The free end 38 of said lever is attached by balljoint 39 to member 40 of lever-link 41 having an adjusting screw 42 therebetween. Ball-joint 43 is tted onto bracket 44 which is secured to inner flap 45 Vby rivets 46. A coil spring 47 having its ends secured to lever 35 at 48 and to bracket 49 held by rivets 50 onto plate 32 urges lever 35 upwardly. A stop 51 secured to the frame at 52 limits the motion of lever 35.

Pivoted on rod 54 is va lever 55 extending upwardly and having a cam follower in the form of a roller mounted thereon by set screw 57. Cam 58 mounted on shaft 9 is adapted to contact roller 56. At the free end of lever is pivoted by pin 59 a lever-link 60 which in turn is pivoted by pin 61 to hinge 62 carrying the middle flap 63. A coil spring 64 has one end attached at 65 to lever 55 and at the other end to bracket 49. A bumper or stop 67 is held on the frame by set screw 68 and limits the motion of leverSS.

In the operation of this device the motor rotates gears 7 and 8 as shown by arrow 1t) causing shaft 9 to rotate. In the position shown in Figs. l and 2 the llaps are closed and the cams 37 and 58 are free from their respective levers so that springs 47 and 64 tend to urge the middle and inner llapsupwardly, but they cannot act because ilap 28 is held down by spring 21. Rotation of gear 8 rotates gear 16 in the direction of arrow 70 causing gear 18 to rotate in the direction of arrow 71. This bows j the spring upwardly asshown by arrow 72 until it passes at 21 of Fig. 3, quickly opening the outer flap into the i position shown at 28'; Immediately, springs 64 and 47 successively pull levers 55 and 35 as shownin Fig. 3,

thus successivelyopening middle ,flap 63 and vinnerliap.

The continuing rotation of gear 58 `'then begins the return movement ofythe cycle. Astherotationcntinles there is no movement of gear-link 13becatisefpinj`12 slides in slot `14 until `it Vreaches the endo-ftheslot, VDurf.

ing the interval, cams 37 and 58 operate successively on levers 35 and 55 Vbringing flaps-45 and-63successively down onto plate 32. Then link 13 is pushed in the opposite direction to arrow 70causinglspring 21 to return to its original position at the moment it passesdead center as shown in Fig. 3, thus rapidly snappingithe vouter be used, such as bow-springs like that applied to the outerV flap. The inventionis therefore to be broadly construed and not to be limited except by the character ofthe claims appended hereto. l

We claim:

1. An actuated display mechanismcomprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, :said iiaps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle aps against the, outer flap, a bow-spring having one end attached to'said outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer flap to snapjaway from said other flaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away from said plate.

2. An actuated display mechanism comprising aframe having thereon a plate, three flaps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, saidV aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle flaps against'the outer iiap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outerap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other Ainsertan?` a y w i i 1 urging the inner and middle iiaps against the outer Hap, a bow-spring having one end attached'to said outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-springbeing secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate pasta dead center to cause said outer ap to snap away from said Aother iiaps and permitting said other tlaps to ysnap successively away from said plate, a lever lpivoted on said frame, a link connecting said lever to said middle ap` a geared shaft parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said shaft and a follower on said lever, and a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said middle flap outwardly.

5. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate,three aps hingedly mounted on said platey at about right angles to each other, said flaps being foldabletin superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner andmiddle flaps against the outer iiap, albow-sp'ring having one end attached to said outer flap, ashaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring beingsecured t'o Ysaid shaft the movement of which causes said Ybow-spring to oscillate past a dead centerto causesaid outer ap to` snap away from saidV other flaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away `from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link passing through said plate and.

a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer iiap,

a shaft with means for oscillating thesame, the otherend of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft` the move'- ment of'which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer flap to snap away from saideother tiaps and permitting said other ilaps to snap successively away from saidplate, a lever pivotedonsaid end of said bow-spring being secured to Vsaid shaftthe movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer ap to snap away from said other aps and permitting said other flapsV to snap successively away from said plate, and meansfor returning said flaps to folded position in the inverse order of their snapping away.

3. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, 'said tla'ps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle flaps against the outer flap', a bowaspring having one end attached to said `outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, theother end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer flap to snap away from said other flaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away from said plate, and a set of gears, means for rotating said gears, one of said gears being connected to said bow-spring to oscillate the same'.

4. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for frame, a link connecting `said lever to said'middle nap", a geared shaft parallel to the pivot off said lever, a 'c'am on said shaft and a follower on saidlever, a spring at-y tached to fs'a-id'lever and frame forurgingysaid middle lap outwardly, a second lever pivoted on said frame, a

`link passing through said plate and connecting saidlever tothe inner Vside of said inner ilap, a'second' cam on s'aid shaft and a follower on said second lever, and a spring attached to said secondlever and frame for urging said inner flaps outwardly.

'7. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon aplate, Vthree flaps hingedly mounted'cn said plate atfabout right'angles to eachother, said iiaps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middleiiaps against the outer ap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said vbow-*spring to oscillate past a dead c'enter to cause said outer flap' to snap away 'from said other flaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively-away from said plate, a' lever pivoted on saidI frame,a link connecting said lever to said middle iiap, a geared shaft' parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on Vsaid geared shaft and' a follower` on said lever, anda spring attached to'said lever and 4frame for urging said middleflap outwardly, a stub shaft, said other end of said bowls'pring secured to said stub shaft, a gear for said bow-spring onsaid stub shaft, a gear link from thegear of said' geared `shaft and' having anoperat'ive connection wi'tnfsai'd bow-spring gear.

8.l Ainactuatediidis'play mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle flaps against the outer flap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer flap to snap away from said other flaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link connecting said lever to said middle flap, a geared shaft parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said geared shaft and a follower on said lever, a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said middle flap outwardly, a stub shaft, said other end of said bow-spring secured to said stub shaft, a gear for said bow-spring on said stub shaft, a gear link from the gear of said geared shaft and having an operative connection with said bow-spring gear, and a slot in said gear link, the link pivot of one of said gears passing through said slot.

9. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle flaps against the outer flap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer ap to snap away from said other aps and permitting said other aps to snap successively away from said plate, and a set of gears, means for rotating said gears, one of said gears being connected to said bow-spring to oscillate the same, a geared shaft mounted in said frame, said rotating means being geared to said shaft, and a gear link from the gear of said geared shaft and having an operative connection with said bow-spring gear.

10. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three flaps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said iiaps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means -for urging the inner and middle flaps against the outer flap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer ap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer ilap to snap vaway from said other iiaps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away from said plate, and a set of gears, means for rotating said gears, one of said gears being connected to said bow-spring to oscillate the same, a geared shaft mounted in said frame, said rotating means being geared to said shaft, a gear link from the gear of said geared shaft and having an operative connection with said bow-spring gear, said gear link being slotted with the pivot between said shaft gear and gear link passing through said slot.

1 1. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three aps hingedly mounted on said plate at about n'ght angles to each other, said aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging thel inner and middle flaps against the outer ap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer ap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a de ad center to cause said outer flap to snap away from said other flaps and permitting said other flaps to Snap successively away from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link passing through said plate and connecting said lever to the inner side of said inner aP a parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said shaft and a follower on said lever, a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said inner ap outwardly.

12. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three flaps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said flaps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle flaps against the outer flap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer'flap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes sai-d bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer ap to snap away from said other aps and permitting said other aps to snap successivelyv away from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link connecting said lever to said middle flap, a geared shaft parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said shaft and a follower on said lever, a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said middle ap outwardly, said pivot being in the lower part of said frame, said lever spring being attached to the upper part of said frame.

13. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three flaps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said iiaps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle aps against the outer ap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer ap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer ap to snap away from said other aps and permitting said other aps to snap successively away from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link passing through said plate and connecting said lever to the inner side of said inner flap, a shaft parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said shaft and a follower on said lever, a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said inner ap outwardly, said pivot being in the lower part of said frame and said lever spring being attached to the upper part of said frame.

14. An actuated display mechanism comprising a frame having thereon a plate, three flaps hingedly mounted on said plate at about right angles to each other, said aps being foldable in superposed relation, spring means for urging the inner and middle aps against the outer ap, a bow-spring having one end attached to said outer ap, a shaft with means for oscillating the same, the other end of said bow-spring being secured to said shaft the movement of which causes said bow-spring to oscillate past a dead center to cause said outer flap to snap away from said other aps and permitting said other flaps to snap successively away from said plate, a lever pivoted on said frame, a link connecting said lever to said middle flap, a geared shaft parallel to the pivot of said lever, a cam on said shaft and a follower on said lever, a spring attached to said lever and frame for urging said middle flap outwardly, a second lever pivoted on said frame, a link passing through said plate and connecting said lever to the inner side of said inner flap, a second cam on said shaft and a follower on-said second lever, a spring attached to said second lever and frame for urging said inner aps outwardly, said pivots being in the lower part of said frame, and the free ends of both of said lever springs being attached to the upper part of said frame adjacent to said plate.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,230,831 Ickes .Tune 19, 1917 1,957,302 'Ihompson May 1, 1934 2,305,665 Bolsey Dec. 22, 1942 

